NFC Mailbags: Garrett, Panthers, Prater
It’s Saturday morning, and ESPN.com’s NFL writers are opening their mailbags and answering questions from readers. Let’s take a look at some of the interesting notes from the NFC…
- The Cowboys have been one of the surprise teams in the NFL this season, and head coach Jason Garrett has gone from all but fired to a legitimate Coach of the Year candidate. Todd Archer believes he has done enough this season to keep his job even if they miss the playoffs, but notes that nothing is set in stone with three games to go.
- If the Panthers do not comeback to win the division, they will likely be staring at a very high draft pick this offseason, and David Newton believes that offensive tackle would be a top priority. However, if Alabama’s Amari Cooper falls to them, the team would have to consider taking him and putting him opposite Kelvin Benjamin to make a scary young pair of wideouts.
- Ben Goessling looks at what positions the Vikings will target in the 2015 NFL Draft, and believes the team could focus on defense. He writes that they could benefit from an inside linebacker to play alongside Anthony Barr and Gerald Hodges, or a versatile safety to pair with Harrison Smith. They could also look for another cornerback, or even a running back or offensive lineman.
- Washington has a number of problems in addition to their volatile quarterback situation, and John Keim believes the team will come into 2015 with two new starting safeties. He writes they should try to find a veteran free agent and also draft a safety capable of coming in and playing.
- While the main focus of the Packers‘ mailbag is the chances of a rematch of their week one loss to the Seahawks, this time at Lambeau Field, Rob Demovsky also takes time to explain why the team is consistently signing players to the active roster but not activating for gameday. He notes that most of these signings go hand in hand with key players who are questionable with injuries.
- The Lions have a number of decisions to make this offseason, but whether or not to re-sign Matt Prater will be one of the smaller yet no less significant choices. Mike Rothstein believes the team should try to keep Prater on a long-term deal.
Jets Notes: Harvin, Wilkerson, Mariota
When the Jets traded for Percy Harvin earlier this season, it was unclear whether the team planned to retain him going forward past 2014. In addition to a base salary of more then $10MM, the team would also owe Seattle a fourth-round pick if they decided to keep the playmaker on the roster in 2015, as opposed to a sixth-round pick if they decided to move on from him.
If Harvin gets a say in it, he would like to stay with the Jets, writes George Willis of the New York Post. “I feel at home here. I’m comfortable with all the players,” Harvin said Friday. “I like the vibe around here.”
Here are some other notes about the Jets as they ready themselves for what their fans would hope will be an active offseason:
- Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson is still dealing with a toe injury that forced him to miss the last two games, but he shouldn’t try to rush back until he is fully healthy, according to Willis. With the team sitting at 2-11 with no chance of the playoffs, the best thing Wilkerson can do for himself and for the team is to be healthy and receive his extension to stay with the Jets long term.
- The biggest move the Jets can make this offseason would be to find their franchise quarterback, and the best place to do that would be in the 2015 NFL Draft. If things break right that player could be tonight’s Heisman favorite, Marcus Mariota of Oregon, according to Burt Hubbuch of the Post. “If the Jets like me and it happens that they take me, I’ll be the best Jet I can be and play my heart out for them,” said Mariota. “I’ll do whatever it takes to win games. I would love to play for them.” Mariota is notlikely to officially decide to forego his senior season until after his season is over.
- The Jets’ offseason will be an active one, and Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com addresses a number of issues in his mailbag this morning. He writes that while the Jets may be interested in Bill Cowher as a head coach, Cowher would be a better candidate for the Giants. He also states that he would be surprised of general manager John Idzik survives with the team after only two short years.
Injury Updates: Sunday
Let’s take a look at some injuries that could force clubs to make a change to their rosters as they enter the final quarter of the regular season:
- Ravens cornerback Danny Gorrer has ligament damage in his knee and will miss the rest of the season, writes Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun. The 28-year-old did not tear his ACL, but the damage was severe enough to end his year.
Earlier updates:
- Dolphins safety Louis Delmas was carted off the field in his team’s loss to the Ravens, and Adam H. Beasley and Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald write that initial reports are pointing towards a torn ACL. This would presumably end Delmas’ season.
- Percy Harvin had his best game of the season today, finishing with six catches for 124 yards and a touchdown. However, the Jets‘ wideout injured his ankle late in the game, and ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini says the veteran’s season could be over.
- Cardinals‘ running back Andre Ellington will likely be placed on injured reserve with his hip pointer, reports Mike Jurecki of Fox Sports 910 AM in Phoenix (via Twitter). Ellington will see a specialist in Philadelphia this week.
- Cardinals‘ cornerback Antonio Cromartie was carted off the field during their tight contest with the Chiefs, reports Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com (via Twitter). He suffered an achilles injury (via Twitter). Kent Somers of AZCentral.com writes that Cromartie was unable to put any weight on his left leg (via Twitter).
- Titans‘ quarterback Zach Mettenberger is likely done for the year with a right shoulder sprain, reports Jim Wyatt of the Tennesseean (via Twitter). The X-Ray was negative, but an MRI is scheduled for Monday (via Twitter). He had suffered an injury to the shoulder last week as well, but this one could be enough to end his season.
- 49ers‘ defensive back Chris Culliver left the game with a knee injury and has been ruled out for the game, reports Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com (via Twitter). Guard Mike Iupati left the game with an elbow injury and is questionable to return. Both players will deeply impact the 49ers’ playoff chances, and Iupati could also cost himself money as he is prepared to hit free agency this offseason.
Quarterback Notes: Brees, Kaepernick, Orton
With the Saints‘ salary cap situation in disarray, they could look to star quarterback Drew Brees for some relief going forward. Brees is signed through 2016, so a restructuring is unlikely, writes Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com. Having a $26.4MM cap hit in 2015 puts the team in a tough spot, and based off his play this season, Fitzgerald can’t see the team justifying an extension for him (via Twitter).
What the team is most likely hoping for is a deal similar to the one Tom Brady took with the Patriots, according to Fitzgerald (via Twitter). He described the contract as an “off into the sunset” type of deal, presumably where Brees would take a lower annual salary freeing the team up to spend elsewhere.
Here are a few other notes on quarterback contracts that seem impactful:
- With the 49ers likely to miss the playoffs after their loss to the Raiders, Colin Kaepernick will have a de-escalator in his contract that will cost him $2MM in 2015, reports Joel Corry of CBS Sports (via Twitter). He was set to make $12.4MM next season, but will see that figure drop to $10.4MM without a playoff appearance.
- As Kyle Orton has likely failed to lead the Bills to the playoffs, the team could turn back to EJ Manuel this season or next. If the team went with Manuel in 2015, Orton wouldn’t be an expensive backup. He can void his deal, but if he doesn’t he will only count $1.5MM in guaranteed money against the cap next season, according to Mike Rodak of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
- For teams still looking to draft a quarterback this offseason, the Raiders’ victory over the 49ers has shaken up the potential draft order. With three games to go, the Buccaneers currently hold the top pick, based on record and strength of schedule, according to Ryan McCrystal of DraftAce.com (via Twitter). Following them are the Titans, Jaguars, Jets, and Raiders, respectively.
Extra Points: Webb, Peterson, Cowboys
While everyone was watching the college football crown its conference champions, a few NFL stories trickled through worth mentioning. To take a break from arguing TCU, Baylor, and Ohio State, here a few stories from around the NFL this Saturday night:
- Ravens‘ cornerback Lardarius Webb has not had his best season in 2014, which could lead to a difficult decision for the team this offseason. Given his poor performance, it will be not be easy to swallow his $8MM salary next season, writes Jamison Hensley of ESPN. He is the sixth highest paid corner in the league next year, and with his injury history the team would prefer to see if Webb would accept a pay cut to stay with the team going forward.The team has already reworked the Webb’s contract to clear up cap space this past offseason, The Ravens biggest weakness has been among its cornerbacks, and losing Webb for nothing would only save the team $2MM in cap space and leave them thin in the defensive backfield.
- Adrian Peterson has stated that he believes he will continuing playing in his extended prime for five or six more years. At $13MM in 2015, the Vikings might not be the place where Peterson finishes his career, but he will have his choice of landing spots writes Chris Wesseling of NFL.com. Wesseling writes that Peterson proved doubters wrong when he returned from a torn ACL to have his best year as a pro, and could be the outlier who continues his success later in his career.
- If the Vikings do move on from Peterson, the obvious suitor for his services would be the Cowboys, writes Jim Souhan of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. The team has treated DeMarco Murray like a “rented mule” according to Souhan, and all indications are that the team is going to use up Murray in the last year of his contract before looking for a bigger name back like Peterson via trade or free agency this offseason.
Best Fits For Rex Ryan
Rex Ryan is as good as doomed as Jets‘ head coach as far as the New York media is concerned, and reports of his tenure ending have been numerous during the team’s 2-10 start to the season.
The Jets might already have their focus elsewhere in their coaching search, but Ryan will not have a hard time finding new employment himself. If the Falcons head coaching position becomes available, Ryan could find a perfect landing spot in Atlanta, writes Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.
First of all, this would be contingent on Falcons’ owner Arthur Blank deciding to fire head coach Mike Smith at the end of the season. The team has been tremendously disappointing at 5-7, but could still win the NFC South. It is uncertain of whether that would save his job, and Mehta writes that it wouldn’t, but the general mood surrounding Smith is that the team and fan base is unhappy with the job he has done this season.
Falcons’ general manager Thomas Dimitroff actually interviewed Ryan for the job back in 2008 before eventually hiring Smith. Mehta writes that sources say Ryan was the leading candidate prior to Dimitroff being hired as general manager.
“Arthur wants a tougher team,” according to one of Mehta’s sources. “He wants guys that have an edge to them.”
Ryan could have a myriad of options, and Mehta believes that Dolphins‘ owner Stephen Ross loves Ryan, and could consider making a change should the Dolphins miss the playoffs again this year (via Twitter).
Mehta writes that Ryan would consider any head coaching vacancies, but would elect to take a big money TV deal over becoming a defensive coordinator (via Twitter).
A poll here on Pro Football Rumors from October 18th asked our readers where Ryan would be employed in 2015. The Falcons and Dolphins head coaching jobs received about 9% and 4%. Of course, the readers gave Ryan a 13% chance of staying with the Jets, which would be an unlikely number if the vote was taken again today. Still, almost 39% of the votes went to Ryan being on television in 2015, and according to Mehta, that seems like a real possibility.
Organization May Side With Robert Griffin III
The rift between Washington head coach Jay Gruden and franchise quarterback Robert Griffin III has been widely reported on. Since Gruden benched Griffin in favor of Colt McCoy, speculation about the former first-round pick’s future has taken him down many paths.
If the choice is left to Gruden, Griffin may very well be on his way out in Washington. Lucky for Griffin, it may not be Gruden’s choice. The leaders in the organization including owner Dan Snyder and general manager Bruce Allen may be leaning to towards siding with Griffin over Gruden, given the choice, writes Jason Reid of the Washington Post.
The leadership group has not given up on their young quarterback, but Gruden seems to be committed to moving on from the embattled 24-year old passer. In Reid’s report, he writes that if Allen and Snyder decide the team will continue with Griffin as the starter, that Gruden could be fired after one year. That would leave the team responsible for the final four years of his five-year guaranteed deal, on top of hiring a new coach and starting over again 2015.
Allen is in a tough position with this decision, as he was the general manager to oversee both the trade to acquire Griffin in 2012. On the other hand, Allen also hired Gruden, and in a way, his legacy with Washington is tied to the success of both. Firing Gruden after one year would reflect poorly on him, but trading Griffin for pennies after giving up so much to move up and take him three years ago would be damning as well. Of course, the best way for Allen to protect his job is if either way, the decision he has to make this offseason lead to a winning season in 2015 and going forward.
Raiders Promote Scott Simonson
The Raiders have promoted tight end Scott Simonson to their active roster from the practice squad, reports Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle (via Twitter). The team placed safety Jonathan Dowling on injured reserve in order to make room for Simonson.
The team was looking forward to a different transaction, as they were hoping receiver Rod Streater would be activated from injured reserve-designated to return in time for this week’s matchup with the 49ers, according to Tafur (via Twitter). Streater should be back with the team next week.
While Simonson’s promotion may not have been a surprise, it is interesting that the team did not place tight end Brian Leonhardt on injured reserve, writes Jerry McDonald of the Oakland Tribune (via Twitter). Leonhardt suffered two concussions in the past two weeks, leaving the remainder of his season in jeopardy.
There is a chance that move comes next week, when the team gets Streater back. At that time, the Raiders will need to open up a roster spot in order to get him back on the field. McDonald was waiting to see if that would happen this week as well (via Twitter).
Vikings Place Jerick McKinnon On IR
The Vikings have placed running back Jerick McKinnon on IR, ending his breakout rookie season with the team, reports Matt Vensel of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune (via Twitter).
In 11 games this season, McKinnon amassed 538 yards at a clip of 4.8 yards per carry. A third-round pick out of Georgia Southern, he performed well in place of Adrian Peterson.
McKinnon will have a back procedure, with an eight-week recovery time, writes Adam Caplan of ESPN (via Twitter). He should be back in time for offseason workouts.
The team promoted defensive end Justin Trattou from the practice squad to the active roster. The Vikings added safety Ahmad Dixon to the practice squad, reports Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (via Twitter).
The void left by McKinnon could open up playing time for Ben Tate, who was claimed off waivers earlier this season, reports Albert Breer of NFL.com (via Twitter).
Haloti Ngata Suspension Notes
Ravens’ star defensive lineman Haloti Ngata was suspended for the final four games of the regular season earlier this week for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. This is a significant blow to the team’s immediate playoff hopes, as the team’s defensive strength was in the front seven.
Here are some notes from the fallout following Ngata’s suspension:
- The Ravens replaced Ngata on the active roster with tight end Phillip Supernaw, as we reported yesterday her on Pro Football Rumors.
- Ravens’ second-round pick Timmy Jernigan will receive a large uptick in snap count in Ngata’s absence, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Jernigan was one of the best players on the national championship winning defense at Florida State last year.
- Wilson also looks at a silver lining of the suspension, that the Ravens now have $6.249MM in salary cap space this season. The team is unlikely to spend that this year, but could carry that extra money over and apply it to next year’s salary cap.
- While the team is still much in the playoff hunt, John Eisenberg of BaltimoreRavens.com believes the Ngata suspension could be the difference between the team reaching the postseason or not.
- The suspension has complicated Ngata’s status with the Ravens going forward, writes Sarah Ellison of BaltimoreRavens.com. He is owed a heft $16MM in 2015, but was hoping the team would renegotiate that figure into a long term extension. Ellison also believes that the team will re-evaluate Ngata’s impressive season in light of the PED suspension.
- According to ESPN Stats and Info, the Ravens may be better off without Ngata. The team has surrendered an impressive 3.8 yards per rush with Ngata, but an excellent 3.1 yards per rush without him (via Twitter). Opposing quarterbacks have also been better with Ngata, posting a QBR of 71 against him, while that figure drops to a 47 QBR without him (via Twitter).